Mendelsohn goes to prison, can't practice medicine

Former Tallahassee power broker Dr. Alan Mendelsohn turned himself in Friday at the federal prison camp in Estill, S.C., shortly before his noon deadline to surrender, prison officials said.

The Hollywood eye doctor, former lobbyist and political fundraiser was sentenced to four years in prison. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, tax evasion and making false statements to federal agents.

Inmates at the minimum-security camp, about 50 miles north of Savannah, Ga., wake up at 6 a.m., sleep in communal dorms, and wear green uniforms during working hours. Inmates work up to eight hours a day for 12 cents to $1.15 per hour doing landscaping, cleaning and maintenance jobs.

While prisoners are expected to work and to start repaying any fines or restitution, Mendelsohn, 53, an ophthalmologist, will not be allowed to practice medicine while he's serving his time, federal Bureau of Prison officials said.

"A lot of times, if we have an inmate with certain skills such as a plumber or carpenter, we will allow them to use those skills, but not a doctor," said Chris Burke, a spokesman for the Bureau of Prisons. "He can't be practicing medicine on other inmates, there's a lot of liability issues involved."

Mendelsohn is appealing his sentence on the grounds that it was excessive and inappropriate. The Republican confessed that he funneled money to former Democratic state Sen. Mandy Dawson, while she was in elected office, through one of her close friends.

Dawson has pleaded not guilty to tax evasion charges in a related criminal case.